Italy introduces veil ban and foreigner quotas in schools under Meloni

The Italian government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has introduced a series of restrictive school policies targeting immigration and religious expression. The new measures include a ban on face-covering veils in state schools, quotas capping the share of non-Italian students per class, and mandatory Italian language tests as a condition of school enrollment.

Key measures

The veil ban targets coverings such as the niqab and burqa that conceal the face, rather than the hijab headscarf. The quota system would prevent any single class from having more than a set percentage of foreign-born or non-citizen pupils, a measure the government argues will improve integration. Language tests are intended to ensure students can follow lessons in Italian before entering the mainstream school system.

Reactions

Critics, including opposition parties and civil liberties groups, have condemned the measures as discriminatory and contrary to European human rights standards. Supporters of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party argue the policies are necessary to preserve Italian cultural identity and ensure the quality of public education. The legislation is expected to face legal challenges in Italian and European courts.